Woman in critical condition following hit-and-run, police hunting for driver

A hunt is on for the driver of a grey Honda Civic following a hit-and-run Monday in Little Italy that left a woman in her 20s in critical condition.

The incident occurred at 2:23 p.m. at Preston and Pamilla streets, two blocks north of Carling Avenue. The woman was unconscious when paramedics arrived, and remained so en route to The Ottawa Hospital’s Trauma Centre at the Civic campus.

She suffered a life-threatening head injury, police say.

The driver of the vehicle, which was travelling north on Preston, did not stop. Witnesses reported to police that the driver soon after took a left off Preston and onto a side street.

Police are looking for a grey four-door Honda Civic with lower bumper damage on the front passenger side of the vehicle. The front passenger windshield may also be damaged.

Debris from the vehicle’s lower bumper area was recovered at the scene and the front passenger headlight is missing, police say.

Given the debris left behind, Duty Insp. John Medeiros said he would “find it highly unlikely the person would not know” they hit a pedestrian.

Police want to hear from anyone who was in the area Monday afternoon and noticed a vehicle with damage to the front passenger side. Police will also attempt to secure footage from any security cameras in the vicinity.